Burn Notice, Season One (2007)

Regardless of this airing on a cable
network, Burn Notice is probably one
of the most enjoyable shows presently benefitting from ratings today. If you
don’t like the camaraderie between this band of do-gooders comprised of a
burned spy, a washed up Navy Seal and an ex-IRA agent (yes, all these organizations
are represented in one show), then you probably won’t like this series. Although, I cannot imagine why!

Spies
don’t get fired, they get burned.

Michael Westen (Jeffery Donovan) has a
reputation as a spy. Right now, he’s in Africa about
to complete a job that usually would go down without a hitch, only when he makes
contact, the operator informs him he has been blacklisted: basically from now
on, he no longer exists. Time is running short before his African gun-running
captors realize he is no longer worth anything to them, so limping and bruised,
Michael escapes their custody, and barely makes the next flight out of the
country, only to be dropped on the sandy beaches of Miami. There he is expected
to stay off the grid by the CIA, and who knows what other agencies. With all
his personal records either erased or confiscated, Michael’s very identity is
questioned.

So… “trust” must be placed in anyone
still willing to talk to you. For Michael that consists of his “trigger-happy”
ex, Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) and buddy, Sam (Bruce Campball) who’s informing
on him to the FBI. And if you’re really
desperate: there's family. Mom Madeline (Sharon Gless) is the last person Michael wants
to deal with just now, especially considering she thinks she has a disease that the doctors just haven’t diagnosed,
she wants him to make peace with his brother (Seth Peterson) and to top it off, Michael is determined
to find out just who issued a burn notice… In the meantime, a burglary suspect
needs help clearing his name and Michael finds he has a knack for using his
skills to do something good: help people.

I’ll admit seeing this was a bit of a
stretch considering I knew next-to-nothing about the framework of the series.
All it took was one season and I
wound up loving the show for its cleverness and witty characters. Its approach
is very unique compared to other shows of its variety. For the most part this
is thanks to the characters, who have rapidly become some of the most likable
on television today. From the opening titles, the characters had me “hooked.” (Michael
being the primary, considering you rarely see any of the other billed stars in
the pilot.) There has never quite been another character like him; his “noble”
mission to help those in need of some, shall we say, intimidating intimidation,
makes him one-of-a-kind (especially by his escapades and comical quirks, like
when he “steals” cars or makes his own “gadgets” with things from the hardware
store). All around, he’s just a genuinely “good” guy whose one weakness – like
most of us - is family and friends. As for Fiona… well, she just does her
thing. She attempts to get Michael to open up and discuss their past, but
somehow Gabrielle makes her one of the strongest female leads. Going against what her appearance would
suggest and her snappy responses, beneath that tough shell, there’s a
vulnerability that defines her character. And that is what makes these
individuals so engaging; the actors found a niche that brought to life
fantastic character personas that bring audiences back each time.

Being
set in Miami sets the tone for some cool filming of quick succession shots to
say nothing of its natural beauty. Each episode has voice-over commentary,
which lays out the cases and players. Likewise, outdoor scenes make for some
gorgeous cinematography -- palm trees, sweeping architectural structures, sidewalk
restaurants, and the beach. For all my heaping admiration, the show is flawed. When
it does stumble, it more than compensates through the constructive concepts. (Favorite
episodes are: “Fight or Flight,” “Wanted Man,” “Hard Bargain,” “Loose Ends,”
and the pilot.) If you like White Collaror Covert Affairs(the same network), this show is worth a look. Burn Notice is clever
and witty with characters that in spite of their flaws, you just cannot help
but love, but at the same time features a serious intrigue in relation to
Michael’s quest for answers. Only be prepared, the end leaves you hanging.

CONTENT: “Old Friends” deals with an 18-year-old unknowingly entering a prostitution ring. Restraining from anything overly intimate, Fiona and Michael spend the night together near the end of “Broken Rules” [implied; they wake up together, sheets carefully placed]. Profanity and crude terms are scattered; “Jesus” is abused as well as other deity abuses. Violence ranges from a lead getting shot in the shoulder to hand-to-hand combat. Characters are hit with the butt of guns, punched, kicked, and just threatened in general. Explosions are a “normal” part of the show; suicide is once implied. Drinking is prevalent in certain cases. It’s said Michael’s father was a drunk and perhaps even abusive at times. Fiona wears numerous inappropriate clothing; a lot of scenes also take place in clubs. The show has a standard TV14 rating.

This is an awesome show, Ella! I just love it. Charity once told me that it was hard to tell (teasing, of course) how much I loved this show by my reviews - which, oh dear, must mean that I tend to gush about it. ;D

I think the show gets more "serial" the further into it one gets. At first it is less important to watch every episode (although I'd recommend it). Enjoy if you do see it!!

I love this show, Trinka - and it's one of my dad's favorites, too. =) He really enjoys the genius of it as far as Michael creating something from nothing. Burn Notice has a lot going for it and I love the banter between the characters.

REALLY?? That is awesome, Ruth! I didn't remember reading anything about this show on your blog, so I didn't know you enjoyed it, too. Glad you do though. =)

USA has a grand reputation and I am really glad that there are several I am able to enjoy from them - I've come to realize that they are a network station that has standards, even if they are marginal.

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